Tuning Machines vs. Violin Pegs

[Ramirez1987]

Originally Posted by flintsghost

I owned a very early Yairi Flamenco with Ebony friction pegs. It was beautiful and the sound was phenomenal. But it was very difficult to keep in tune, even with the friction pegs coated with rosen. I preferred heavy tension strings and that may be why. I would never own a traditional peg fitted guitar again.

hey. having once owned a yairi i understand the frustration there. after a few weeks of toying around with how to make the friction pegs a bit more 'reliable' on my ramirez i found that raising the saddle by 2mm seems to have helped greatly. still have what i consider to be a low action 3.2m. not sure why this worked but tuning seems more stable. the 1a does have beautiful and well fitted pegs [unlike the yairi i once owned]. neither a purist for pegs [this was the only choice i had avail], feeling a bit more secure with intonation lately. anyone have any thoughts as to why this may have helped?

[ronjazz@mac.com]

I have two Lester DeVoe guitars; a Negra with machines and a Blanca with pegs. the Blanca is much easier to deal with in the winter, when the humidity is lower, as far as tuning goes. I have found that chalk is helpful as a lubricant, especially in summer. My Antonio Aparicio came with pegs, but I had it converted to machines when I got tired of fighting with it on gigs (it's my main working guitar, with an RMC pickup system). Again, the pegs became difficult in times of high humidity. Sonically, each guitar sounds great, so I can't say. I value the Devoes too highly to change them.

[BrianBurns]

Hello All,

This is going to be pretty self serving-are there any forum rules against plugging a product that I sell? Well, go ahead and delete this message if there are.

I have always preferred pegs because of the net lighter weight of the head. In spite of the wood removed in a slotted peg head, a quality set of machines, like the Sloans that I use, does add weight. I do hold the guitar in traditional position--only skinny guys can hold it like Paco de Lucia (;->)...

I'm actually pretty good at fitting traditional wooden pegs, but once I discovered Planetary Pegs I never looked back. They look exactly like ebony pegs, but have a 4:1 planetary gear system inside, and tune like a machine head. I install them on the guitars that I build, and have been selling them for nearly five years. You can see them on my website at planetarypegs.com.

Cheers,

Brian Burns

[Ramirez1987]

Yes the Planetary Pegs certainly do solve any fine tuning dilemma quickly. So many factors at play with Flamenco guitars and tuning other than pegs or machined tuners. On a 'new' instrument with the 'Peg' look the Planetary Pegs are a smart choice for the performer who wants a traditional aesthetic to their guitar. With an older instrument say from the 60's, 70's or 80's guess the question remains how the keep the instrument in it's original design. Any type of routing needed to fit the fine tuning pegs remains a delicate point for the owners of these instrument as it leaves the original pegs inoperable. Simply a choice of the owner. also the aesthetic of rosewood or ebony vs aluminum.
Personally i am used to and like the convenience of any machined tuner, can make that performance less stressful but saying this my 'pegged' Ramirez plays in tune once it is 'opened' to the conditions of the room like any other guitar. This guitar has has a beautiful and unique sound that i will leave it as it as [just wouldn't change anything about it] and view the pegs as part of the character of the guitar. [yet to play a 1A with tuners so cant compare].